|
Welcome to the November 2025 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. We appreciate our subscribers who look to us for the latest news impacting our State’s nearly 1.4 million Veterans, their families and survivors. Serving as the premier point of entry for Florida Veterans, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs operates a network of nine State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect our Veterans with their earned services, benefits and support.
Veterans Appreciation Month in Florida is in full swing, and my staff and I have been marching ‘double-time’ across the state during November representing you at local events honoring our Veterans and paying tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps on their 250th anniversary. We helped unveil a Gold Star Tribute Wall in Clearwater to honor our Gold Star Family Members, joined the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Department of Elder Affairs to honor Veterans in our three organizations, and joined the VA for the annual James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Veterans Day Parade in Tampa. In between, we’ve visited many of your communities to recognize the achievements of our Veterans and help connect those who are struggling to earned services.
We welcomed five distinguished Floridians into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame earlier this month. Meet our new inductees later in this edition. You can view the Class of 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony by visiting https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/11-6-25-florida-veterans-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/.
The State of Florida also celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps by hosting a cake-cutting ceremony at the Capitol on Nov. 12. You can view the ceremony by visiting https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/11-12-25-cake-cutting-ceremony-honoring-us-marine-corps-250th-anniversary/.
For no-cost benefits counseling, connect with our State Veterans’ Service Officers at (727) 319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. Contact information for all State and County Veteran Service Officers can be found online at https://www.floridavets.org/locations/. Don’t forget our team of Hope Navigators is also hard at work connecting Veterans and their families with resources to improve their economic quality of life. Contact one of our Hope Navigators today at HopeNavigators@fdva.fl.gov or call (833) GET-HOPE. A reminder our offices will be closed Nov. 26-28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Learn more about Veterans’ issues by following us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. A free Mobile App is also available by visiting https://app.floridavets.org.
I appreciate all Floridians for making the Sunshine State the most Veteran-friendly, appreciated, and sought after State in the Nation. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from all of us at the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Please share this newsletter with others. We are honored to serve you.
|
 |
|
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs proudly welcomes retired Army Col. DJ Reyes as its Deputy Executive Director. FDVA operates a network of nine State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect Veterans with their earned services, benefits and support. Reyes, a member of the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame, is a national advocate for Veterans’ rights and services including Veterans in the criminal justice system. He earned his bachelors, masters, and juris doctor degrees from the University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Naval War College, and Temple University School of Law. Read his full biography here: bit.ly/4oLREev. |
 |
Five Veterans representing the Class of 2025 were inducted into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Florida Capitol, Nov. 6. They are from left to right: Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alicia Rossiter, retired Army Col. Peter Tan, retired Army Lt. Col. Marlené Carter, retired Navy Capt. Bob Crippen, and retired Army Capt. Stephen Petty.
|
|
|
TALLAHASSEE – More than 100 participants joined FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell at the Capitol on Nov. 12, for the State of Florida’s official cake-cutting ceremony honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. To mark the 250th anniversary, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation led a series of commemorative programs in each State Capitol to celebrate the historic national milestone. Hartsell is a retired Marine Corps Major General.
 |
|
TALLAHASSEE - Paula Twitty, Administrator at the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, was one of 31 nursing home administrators selected statewide by the Florida Health Care Association as a member of the 2026 Class of Florida Leaders. Each year, FHCA selects an exclusive group of long-term care professionals for their demonstrated leadership skills, support of the Association and an interest in pursuing leadership pathways to improve their personal and professional skills. |
Retired Marine Corps Major General James S. Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, flips the ceremonial circuit breaker to begin Military Appreciation Night at the Tampa Bay Lightning game against the Vancouver Canucks, Nov. 16. More than 700 tickets were donated to local service members and nonprofit groups. Participating organizations include the Navy SEAL Foundation, USO, Blue Star Families, Wounded Warrior Project, Gold Star Families, and multiple local commands from MacDill AFB.
|
FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray, right, visits with Brooklyn Enders, Local Veterans’ Employment Representative, and Kenny Nwoko, Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Specialist, at the Paychecks for Patriots hiring fair at Tallahassee State College, Nov. 13. Paychecks for Patriots is a statewide initiative connecting Florida’s Veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members with career opportunities.
|
|
|
|
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Health Care Association partnered Oct. 31 with Dream Flights to honor Veterans living in long-term care facilities with flights in iconic World War II-era, open-cockpit biplanes. Two residents from the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City were among those granted a flight, flown by volunteer off-duty pilots from American Airlines. Janet DiSilva served in the Army from 1956 to 1959, while Ralph Yeager is an Air Force Veteran who spent three years in uniform.
|
|
State Veterans’ Service Officer Israel Rodriguez, left, provides a copy of the 2025 edition of the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide to Felix Zayas, former First Sergeant with the Puerto Rico National Guard, during a veterans’ appreciation event hosted by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in St. Cloud, Nov. 13. The new 2026 edition will be available for statewide distribution in January.
|
Dr. Pia S. Woodley, Chair of the Florida Veterans Foundation, provides a foundation update to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security at the Florida Capitol, Nov. 4.
|
|
Nominations are open for the Class of 2026 Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. If you know a Veteran who has made a significant civic, business, or public service contribution to the state of Florida, nominate them today. Nomination forms are available at: https://bit.ly/4oMjerG
Did you know? A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the U.S. Marine Corps license plate goes into a trust fund for the operation and maintenance of Florida’s nine State Veterans’ Homes. There are nearly 49,000 Marine Corps plates in circulation. Our residents and staff thank you for your patriotism and support. To learn more, visit: http://bit.ly/4fatAyc.
|
|
To contact a State Veterans’ Service Officer from anywhere in Florida, call (727) 319-7440 or send an email to FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. A reminder that all services provided by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs are free to the client. |
|
|
Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s nearly 1.4 million Veterans, FDVA operates a network of State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect Veterans with earned services, benefits and support. Click on the graphic (above) to join our award winning team by visiting bit.ly/48g5lLy.
|
|
|
We are proud to announce the launch of the Florida Veterans Brain Health & Suicide Prevention Program, made possible through a partnership between The Mac Parkman Foundation and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. The program is dedicated to supporting Florida Veterans' well-being by providing vital resources and information aimed at enhancing brain health, improving quality of life, and preventing suicides among those who have served our country. There are no costs or out-of-pocket expenses for any Veteran qualified to participate in the program. To read more about the program, click here. By focusing on education, outreach, and community engagement, we strive to create a supportive environment for Veterans and their families. Visit the Florida Veterans Brain Health & Suicide Prevention Program website at https://florida.mpfact.org/.
|
|
|
|
|
